How do we help prepare students for a test that requires reading and thinking stamina for hours at a time?

Remind students we have put some things in place throughout the year to help increase their ability to get in a reading “flow” – 4th period reading time, reading longer texts during class, and teaching them reading strategies to use so that they are actively involved in their reading.Consider showing this video about effort: http://www.212movie.com/

However, students must help themselves stick with EOG reading by:·being actively (not passively!) involved with the reading – use the strategies/tools they have been taught (check for understanding, reread, visualize, summarize in the margins, ask questions, etc.)

·getting an overall picture of the selection by browsing/skimming it – if they have an idea of what’s coming, they can set a goal to make it through section by section

·having a purpose/question to drive them to finish each selection (see EOG Thought #3)

·figuring out ahead of time what works to focus their attention back to the test: Changing positions? Reading the longer selections first?Mental rewards after each selection? Guiding the reading with the scratch paper? A visual reminder of why they should give their best effort?